Tongue tie surgery

Tongue Tie Surgery in Pinehurst, NC

Hubbard Dental uses a SOLEA laser, a CO2 laser, to perform tongue tie surgery in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Tongue tie surgery, also known as a frenectomy, or a “release”, is a surgical procedure usually performed on infants to release the frenulum from the bottom part of the mouth so the tongue can move freely. This procedure can also be performed on children and adults.

If you or your child needs a frenectomy or functional frenuloplasty in Pinehurst, NC, contact Hubbard Dental to schedule your consultation with Dr. Hubbard today.

What is a tongue tie?

A tongue tie is a condition in which the frenulum—the piece of tissue that connects the tongue and the bottom of the mouth—is too tight and restricts tongue movement. This condition occurs while developing in the womb and without surgical intervention, will persist into adulthood. A tongue tie can range from mild to severe and causes a number of problems.

Tongue ties and lip ties are usually corrected in newborns or infants, but the surgery can be performed on adults, too.

Problems Caused By a Tongue Tie

• Trouble Breastfeeding: Infants need a wide range of motion to achieve the correct tongue position to breastfeed successfully. If you notice that your infant is struggling to nurse or can’t get a good latch, or if they are “clicking” when feeding, milk dribbles out the side of their mouth, or they have cases of “reflux”, a frenectomy may be able to correct the issues.
• Trouble Eating: Older babies and children may struggle to feed themselves properly if they have a tongue tie. If you notice that your baby struggles to eat soft foods like baby food, or has an aversion to a specific texture, this may be an indication that they have a tongue tie.
• Breathing Issues: When the tongue’s range of motion is restricted, it can cause the airway to malfunction during sleep. This can sometimes be corrected with a frenectomy.
• Speech Issues: As your child grows older and begins speaking, you may notice struggles with their speech patterns due to the tongue’s restricted range of motion. Your child’s speech therapist may recommend a frenectomy to improve their speech.
• Tooth Decay and Crowding: Tooth decay and other oral health problems may occur if your child can’t clear food in the space between the tongue and the bottom teeth.
• Other Issues: Tongue and lip ties can cause other issues such as migraines, headaches, ADD/ADHD symptoms, GI issues, and more.

An infant frenectomy procedure will allow babies to nurse or bottle-feed with ease, sleep more soundly, and speak properly as they begin to develop their language skills. For a comprehensive assessment to see if your symptoms may be caused by a tongue or lip tie, call us at Hubbard Dental today.

Is a tongue tie the same thing as a lip tie?

A tongue tie is similar to a lip tie but is not the same. A tongue tie occurs when a band of tissue tethers the bottom of the tongue to the lower part of the mouth. A lip tie occurs when a band of tissue connects the upper lip to the gum tissue in the upper row of teeth. Both can cause similar problems, and both issues can be corrected by a properly trained dentist.

Frenectomy Procedure at Hubbard Dental

If you suspect that your child has a tongue tie, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hubbard or Dr. Greg where they can determine whether a tie is present and needs to be released. If this is the case, your dentist will make a referral to a myofunctional therapist, speech language pathologist, IBCLC, or other provider, who can help ensure the best results from the release. Myofunctional therapy is a form of physical therapy that involves exercises to train the muscles in the face and tongue to improve speaking, eating, and breathing. Myofunctional therapy should be performed before and after the frenectomy procedure.

The actual procedure itself takes only a few seconds, and your child should expect just a few minutes of time laying back in the chair. The doctor will laser the band of tissue between the tongue and the floor of the mouth. Afterward, sutures may be placed, or the wound may be left open to heal by secondary intention.

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled approximately 7 days after the surgery to ensure that the frenulum hasn’t grown back. If the release has grown back together for any reason, a “deep stretch” will be performed to allow for maximum function.

Advanced Technology: SOLEA CO2 Laser

Hubbard Dental uses advanced dental technology to provide the best oral health care to our patients. We use a CO2 laser called a SOLEA laser to perform adult and infant frenectomies. Dr. Hubbard has advanced training from the Tongue Tie Academy with Dr. Richard Baxter, and The Breathe Institute with Dr. Soroush Zaghi, as well as other courses with Dr. Jared Poplin, and is highly skilled in this procedure.

Contact Hubbard Dental for Frenectomy Treatment in Pinehurst, NC

Hubbard Dental offers full scope general dentistry services such as infant frenectomies and tongue tie surgeries for patients in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Your dental health is important to us, and we’re committed to providing high-quality service to all our patients. To schedule your dental appointment, give us a call at 910-718-9545 or request an appointment online.